Editor's note: This is the first in a three part series profiling the Nelsonville Arts Community.
An arts community is probably the last thing many people expect to find in Nelsonville. But just off U.S. Route 33, about 15 miles north of Ohio University, is a collection of businesses and artist co-ops that were non-existent a few years ago.
"I lived in Nelsonville for two years before I even knew the Square existed," said Ann Judy, founder of Starbrick Clay, 21 W Columbus St. In October 2001, she and eight others members founded the ceramic studio, school and gallery.
Starbrick Clay is one of 18 businesses on the Public Square in Nelsonville. The historic district bordered by Fort, East Washington, Fulton and East Columbus streets is home to a growing business sector and place for the arts.
Along with Starbrick, the Square is home to the Foothills School of American Crafts, 25 Public Square, Stuart's Opera House, 34 Public Square, as well as places such as the Majestic Galleries, 20 Public Square, offering contemporary art and Busy Bobbins, 37 Public Square, offering more traditional arts such as lace making and leather working. In addition to the current businesses on the Square, Nelsonville could one day be home to the only public glass blowing furnace in Athens County.
Judy said she sees the Square's growth as a progression toward the goal of making Nelsonville and the Square an arts destination. "But there has to be enough places for people to come to in order to have a destination," she said.
Making the square an "arts destination" is something she said is tantamount to the success of the city.
"Most people don't know the square is here, it's kind of hidden," Judy said.
To spread the word about the Square, Judy said she and other local artists are in constant contact with artists around the state to encourage them to come to Nelsonville and tell others in the statewide art community about it.
Jen Tvorik runs a ceramic supply shop out of Starbrick, the only one in the county. "We needed a supply shop down here in Athens County," Tvorik said. "And Ann noticed (local potters) needed a place to show our work."
Fifteen artists display their work in Starbrick, Judy said. The gallery is located in the storefront, Tvorik's supply shop is in the back and classes are taught in the basement. Students can make practical pieces like planters and bird feeders as well as more decorative artwork. Residents who have experience with ceramics can sign up for open studio time.
The ceramics gallery at Starbrick is just one of the Square's galleries. The Foothills School of American Crafts is home to the Baird Gallery, which shows only regional art. Rachel Young, the school's operations director, said founder David Baird came up with the idea for an art school in 1985 and started it in Amesville. Thirteen years and two floods later, the decision was made to move the school to Nelsonville.
Foothills, partnered with Hocking College, will offer in the fall a two-year degree program in craft design and marketing, Young said. The program teaches artists how to succeed in the business world as well as art world.
In addition to that program, Foothills offers traditional art classes like woodcarving, basketry and leather working and classes teaching students how to turn their art into a productive business, Young said.
While Foothills might be one of the first art-related businesses to open on the Square, Stuart's Opera House is probably the oldest. George Stuart, Nelsonville native and traveling performer, built the playhouse in the 1870s.
But as Stuart's Opera House director Tim Peacock said, the term "opera house" is a bit misleading. "There's never been an opera performance here," he said.
The name was chosen because the term "theater" was associated with immorality. "They just wanted something that said high society," Peacock said.
The opera house recently has put on shows by artists by Leo Kottke, "the best 12-string guitarist in the world," and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, an a cappella group from South Africa.
"We try to bring in local community theater, youth-theater and live music from all over the world," he said.
Stuart's also has an art gallery in its lobby. "We're working toward having visual art shows going on all the time," he said. "We work closely with the Majestic, Starbrick and Foothills."
17 Archives
Chuck Bowen
200306042772midsize.jpg
(From Right) Ann Judy, Linzie McDargh, Delia Rapp, Jenni Zingler and Shon-tae Hamilton discuss a piece of pottery that has been hosed off as Jason Lascu comes running in from the left with two pieces still hot. All the pottery at that nights firing were d
